Hollywood Kicker Makes His Own Mark

June 23, 2000|By LARRY BLUSTEIN Special To The Sun-Sentinel

These are certainly the best of times for Brian Kopka.

The Hollywood Hills graduate has been riding a high since his senior year in high school. That was the time he went from being Kevin Kopka's younger brother to one of the best kicking prospects in the nation.

Kevin Kopka, recruited by Notre Dame and kicked for the Fighting Irish before an injury (arthritis of knee) cut his career short, was the one who exposed his younger brother to kicking. In fact, it wasn't until Kevin graduated from high school that Brian began taking things seriously on the athletic field.

While he was living in the rather large shadow left by his older brother, Brian Kopka was smart enough to know that if he worked hard, good things would come to him. He used his brother's name to gain acceptance. He parlayed his hard work and long hours on the football field practicing by himself into a college scholarship.

This fall, Kopka, 21, will be in his fourth and final year at the University of Maryland. He will enter the season not only as one of the top placekickers in the competitive Atlantic Coast Conference, but he will also be ranked among the top 10 in the nation.

"This is all still a big thrill for me,'' said Kopka. "Whether it's the hours and hours of practice or being a part of a major college program, this is still so much fun.''

Whether it's playing in front of 40,000 fans at home at Byrd Stadium, or the thrill he got last year when the Terps played national champion Florida State, Kopka is somewhat in awe. After each extra point and field goal, he pumps his fist in the air and congratulates everyone from his linemen to his holder.

Since his freshman season, Kopka was supportedby coach Ron Vanderlinden, the coaching staff and his teammates. Maybe it's because he is accurate, puts the ball into the end zone on kickoffs nearly 60 percent of the time and competes with the enthusiasm of a youngster who celebrates a birthday every month.

"When I first arrived at Maryland, I knew that I would be a part of something very special,'' Kopka recalled. "New coach, growing program and plenty of interest locally. We have the chance to do some great things this year.''

In his first year, Kopka him hit seven of 10 field goals. But it was his sophomore season in which he began to turn heads nationally. Considered one of the most accurate kickers in the nation, hitting on 12 of 18 field goals, Kopka had a streak of 10 straight. He also made 34 of 35 extra points.

Last year, Kopka made 16 of 21 field goals (eight consecutive), including three against Virginia. He added 35 of 36 extra points and developed enough leg strength to kick the ball into the end zone more regularly on kickoffs.

"We use a lot of our offensive players on the kickoff team,'' Kopka said. "So when we get ready to kick off after a touchdown or field goal, they kind of pat me on the shoulders and tell me to kick it into the end zone. You earn respect from them by doing it.

As he spends this summer instructing at a kicking camp and working out up to four times a week by himself with 10 footballs in Cooper City, Davie and Hollywood, Kopka has an eye on a professional career. While his leg strength may not match Dolphins kicker and Cooper City graduate Olindo Mare, his accuracy is just what NFL teams look for.

"If it's going to happen, that would be great,'' said Kopka, who at 5-feet-8, 170 pounds is the same size as Kevin, but 50 pounds lighter. "But if not, I will have a communications degree (3.8 grade point average) to fall back on. Football has become important, but the opportunity I have been given the past three years at Maryland and the two before in high school, is certainly something that is way beyond anything I could have asked for.''

Kopka's stepfather Carl and mother Rene are more impressed with Brian's 3.8 GPA than his 4.0 hang time.

Five years ago, Brian Kopka stood on the sideline at Cooper City High (Hollywood Hills home field), supporting his older brother. Today, his big brother is his biggest fan.

"It's great to see him achieve and step out of any shadow that I established,'' said Kevin Kopka, 23, who works for Herff Jones, a manufacturer of high school class rings and caps and gowns out of Tamarac. "He's very strong mentally and has an incredible work ethic and is the best technical kicker I've seen in a while. It's been incredible to watch him grow.''

Contact Larry Blustein with story ideas, scores and standings from Hollywood, Hallandale Beach and Dania. You can fax him at 954-457-1284, via e-mail: LBlustein@aol.com or phone him at 954-205-3438.